The signs are here!

June 17, 2012

Local resident Ray Rannfeldt has been busy creating numerous signs that you may see around Reinbeck. Welcome signs are noticeable along hwy 175 on the corners of Blackhawk and Broad streets.

Rannfeldt is retired from John Deere and in his spare time he has many hobbies. When he's not baby-sitting his grandson Sam, you may spot Ray around town tending to numerous corner flower gardens. The City of Reinbeck received grant money from the Grundy County Community Foundation this year to add welcome signs to the corner flower garden plots as well as money for flowers for these gardens. The G-R FFA greenhouse has supplied a lot of these flowers. Rannfeldt also grows plants in his basement at his home under fluorescent lights. Rannfeldt stated that he sometimes finds plants that have been disposed of at the Reinbeck compost dump.

In addition to the flower garden welcome signs Rannfeldt has designed and created pool art pieces located at the Reinbeck Aquatic Center. Rannfeldt says, "If you go to the pool anytime, you will see a sign with an octopus on it that defines the concession area and a dozen or so sea creatures mounted on the fence including a scuba diver, treasure chest, fish, sharks, turtle, bubbles, etc."

Article Photos

Ray Rannfeldt, his grandson Sam and the Cat in the Hat that Ray made for the Reinbeck Aquatic Center.

Welcome sign and flower garden located on the corner of Broad Street.

Sea creatures located at the Reinbeck Aquatic Center.

Flower garden and sign located on the corner of Broad Street.

Sharon Wambold the pool manager says, "Ray's work adds some spunk to our fence. The kids really enjoy them, especially the new Cat in the Hat. We are fortunate to have someone with his talent willing to share with us."

This year Rannfeldt added a school of blue angel fish, a Cat in the Hat in a swim suit and SpongeBob SquarePants. Rannfeldt says, "Sharon Wambold has been very open to anything I want to make for the fence. I am also making several round life rings such as you would find on a ship. These will be placed as the pool manager wants and will carry the names of all the life guards each year. This is the first year for these so each year from now on a new life ring will appear."

In the future Rannfeldt hopes to add a sunken ship, coral, more exotic fish and a large sign located outside of the aquatic center reading: Reinbeck Aquatic Center. This sign will first need approval by the City Park Board.

Rannfeldt explains, "I typically use wood donated by anyone who has what I need, mostly neighbors and a few Reinbeck carpenters. This is a good winter project for me since my garage is heated and it fills my time nicely. All pieces I make are exterior primed and painted so they should last for many years."

Donations for wood, plywood and exterior paint are accepted. Please feel free to contact Ray at 319.788 2551. Rannfeldt says, "I am always looking for ideas and materials. Extra exterior paint is also something I can use. It is better than taking it to the landfill, or turning it in on chemical clean up day. I feel good about doing it and enjoy the discussion we have at the pool about the pieces."